Side’s coast turns into a different world fast. This 7-hour boat day from Alanya and Side is built around two guided underwater sessions and a comfortable onboard break with food.

I especially like the way the plan scales for different comfort levels: you get professional guide support and clear instructions before you go in. The other big win for me is the structure: a shallower stop at about 6 m, then a deeper one around 12 m, so you’re not jumping straight to the hardest part.

One thing to consider: drinks are not included, and if the sea turns rough the schedule can change or swaps can happen. Also, boat comfort can be hit-or-miss depending on conditions, so pack accordingly if you get seasick.

Key Points That Matter Before You Go

• Two underwater levels: around 6 m first, then around 12 m.
• 5 hours underwater time inside a total 7-hour trip (transfer time varies by hotel).
• Small practical add-ons: lunch included, but drinks and photo/video cost extra.
• Separate boats for people coming from Side vs Alanya, often at different locations.
• You’ll need the right health fit: the operator lists multiple medical exclusions (check before booking).
• Non-participation is specific: the operator offers a “no underwater time” option as part of the child option group.

Side-to-Open-Water Schedule: 7 Hours Total, 5 Hours On the Water

This is a full-day plan, but it’s not all travel. Your total time on the clock is about 7 hours, while the underwater portion is listed as about 5 hours, excluding transfers.

Transfers vary based on where you stay, and the boat day can also adjust a bit for weather. If conditions are rough, the operator may shorten or extend the day, and the actual underwater stops can be modified. That’s not a reason to avoid the trip, but it’s good to know so you don’t expect a rigid timetable.

Meeting Up in Side and Alanya: Transfers, Delays, and Separate Boats

You’ll be picked up from multiple areas around Alanya and Side. The tour notes pickup coverage that includes places like Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot, with Alanya-side coverage as well.

Timing can have real-world wobble. The driver asks you to wait at your hotel’s outer security booth, and there can be a delay of up to 25 minutes. I’d build in buffer time and keep your ticket handy—when the guide or driver arrives, you’ll show your ticket.

Here’s another logistics detail that affects expectations: people coming from Side and from Alanya go on separate boats and can go to different underwater locations. So if you’re traveling with friends staying in another area, don’t assume you’ll be on the same vessel.

Two Underwater Stops at 6 m and 12 m: What You’ll Actually See

The tour is built around two levels. The first underwater stop is scheduled around 6 meters, designed to let you settle in, follow instructions, and enjoy the underwater scenery at a comfortable depth.

The second stop goes deeper, around 12 meters, which typically means more variety in what you can see—wreck details, underwater structures, and marine life become more accessible as you change depth. The program specifically highlights the chance to encounter everything from underwater artifacts to sunken ship elements and coral areas.

A practical way to think about this: the first stop is often where you get your breathing and buoyancy rhythm. The second is where the experience tends to feel more “complete,” because you’ve already learned how the group behaves underwater.

Boat Comfort and Sea Conditions: When Weather Changes the Plan

Even with good planning, the Mediterranean can be moody. The day may be shortened or extended depending on weather, and your exact underwater location might change if conditions aren’t safe or comfortable.

In real terms, this is why you should treat the itinerary as a framework, not a promise. If the sea is rough, crew members will find alternatives when possible, but you may not get the exact same underwater view you had hoped for.

One more comfort note: there’s a recurring theme about boat practicality. Transportation and boat setup aren’t always perfect for everyone, including comments about air conditioning and about how seasickness can hit quickly on a smaller boat. If you’re sensitive to motion, bring what you need and plan for the possibility that your first minutes on deck might be uncomfortable.

Instructor Briefing and Support: Good for First-Timers and Nervous Swimmers

This is a guided experience with instruction provided by an experienced team. The operator describes it as suitable for all skill levels, which usually means you’ll get guidance on how to behave underwater, how to manage equipment basics, and how to follow the pace of the group.

The tour also lists that instructors speak English, German, and Russian. That matters more than it sounds: underwater, clear communication is confidence. If you don’t speak English, check that the language that day matches what you need.

If you’re anxious about going in, take heart. There’s evidence that the instructors actively encourage people who hesitate, and that once someone is underwater their discomfort can fade fast. That kind of support is exactly what you want on a day like this—structured reassurance, not pressure.

Lunch Onboard and Time Between Sessions: How the Day Feels

You’ll eat during the trip: lunch is included. The highlights also mention a captain-prepared meal served onboard and time to relax on deck between sessions.

This is one of those details that can change the whole mood of the day. When you have time between underwater sessions, you get to warm up, reset, and keep your energy up. That’s especially useful if the boat ride is windy or if you’re getting motion.

Also, deck time is where you’ll typically notice how the crew manages the group: checking gear, confirming who’s ready, and keeping everyone on schedule. For a scuba-style day, that calm “in-between” rhythm is often the difference between a chaotic day and a smooth one.

Price and Value at About $52: What’s Included and What Can Cost Extra

At $52 per person, the value is not just about going underwater. The package includes 2 guided underwater sessions, lunch, hotel pickup and drop-off if you select it, and travel insurance.

That’s a lot bundled together, which is why this price can make sense compared to booking everything separately. The trade-off is that you’ll still likely spend more onboard.

The biggest obvious add-ons are:

• Drinks (not included)
• Optional photo and video service
• Any personal purchases

Based on what you’ll read in the tour notes, photos and video are “extra charges,” and they may be priced high. So if you want a visual souvenir, decide in advance whether you’ll go for it, and don’t let the decision happen only after you’re already out on the water.

Who Should Skip This Trip (Important Health and Mobility Limits)

This tour has multiple restrictions, and you should treat them seriously. It’s listed as not suitable for people with certain health issues and for anyone with limited mobility.

The operator flags it as not suitable for:

• Children under 12 and also lists strict age limits (it states under 13 and under 14 in different places)
• Pregnant women
• People with heart problems or respiratory issues
• People with epilepsy
• People with kidney problems, diabetes, or high blood pressure
• People prone to seasickness
• Wheelchair users or people with mobility impairments
• People over 150 kg / 331 lbs
• People over 95 years
• People with lactose intolerance

If any of these apply, I’d treat the “not suitable” label as a safety instruction, not a suggestion. For a water-based activity, the consequences of pushing past your limits are not worth the savings.

What to Bring (and What Not to Do) for a Smooth Day

You’ll have a much better time if you pack smart for sun, water, and changing deck temps.

Bring:

• Hat
• Swimwear
• Change of clothes
• Towel
• Camera (if you have one that works with a secure dry setup)
• Sunscreen
• Water

Behavior rules matter too. The operator says no smoking, no feeding animals, and no touching plants. Those rules are partly about safety, and partly about protecting what you came to see.

Also remember: you’ll want your essentials ready before the boat ride so you’re not scrambling with wet hands later. A small towel and quick-dry change clothes can make deck time feel far more comfortable.

The Non-Underwater Option: How the No-Participation Plan Works

There is a “non-underwater time” concept in the tour setup. The important detail is that it’s not just a simple add-on for everyone.

The notes say that anyone who wants to come as “no diving” can select the child option. This group will be accepted as “no diver.” It also says a non-diver ticket cannot be purchased alone, and if you hold a non-diver ticket you can pay onboard to participate in diving if you wish.

So if you’re traveling as a mixed group (one person wants underwater time and one does not), align on this before you book. If the person who is planning to skip underwater time needs their own ticket and flexibility, you’ll want to clarify how the operator will handle that day.

The Bottom Line: Should You Book This Side and Alanya Scuba Day?

I’d book this if you want a guided, structured boat experience with two scheduled underwater sessions, lunch included, and pickup options that reduce hassle. The price is fairly strong for what’s bundled, especially since travel insurance and onboard guidance are part of the package.

I would hesitate if:

• You get motion sickness easily
• You fall into one of the health or mobility categories listed as not suitable
• You hate extra charges and won’t want drinks or photo/video add-ons
• You’re traveling with someone who expects a very flexible “non-underwater” arrangement

If you’re a practical traveler who likes clear structure and a real onboard rhythm, this is the kind of day that can deliver good value. Go in with sensible expectations about sea conditions, and you’ll likely come away remembering the two different depth moments for the right reasons.

FAQ

How long is the total tour, including transfers?

The tour duration is listed as about 7 hours total. The underwater portion is about 5 hours, excluding transfer time, which varies by hotel.

Do I get hotel pickup and drop-off?

Pickup and drop-off are included if you select that option. The operator notes transfer areas including Evrenseki, Gündoğdu, Ilıca, Side, Sorgun, Titreyengöl, Kızılağaç, and Kızılot.

What depths are included in the two underwater sessions?

The program schedules one underwater session to about 6 meters and a second session to about 12 meters.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch is included in the package.

Are drinks included with the tour?

No. Drinks are not included and are charged separately onboard.

Is there an option for people who do not want underwater participation?

There is a “no diving” option that can be selected through the child option, and that group is accepted as non-underwater participants. A non-diver ticket cannot be purchased alone, and onboard payment may be required if you decide to join the underwater sessions.

What languages are the instructors?

Instructors are listed as speaking English, German, and Russian.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a hat, swimwear, a change of clothes, a towel, a camera (if you want one), sunscreen, and water.

Is the photo and video service included?

Photo and video service is optional and charged as an extra.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

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